Marsh Creek Meadows Equestrian

07/24/2025

Behind the Stall Walls… Presence

Tonight, I got to take off the trainer hat and put on the parent hat.
It felt different... simple, grounding, good.

I sat on a blanket in the grass with my little one while our daughter and her friend were schooling their horses for the western portion of our fair. I wasn’t checking times or pep-talking nervous riders. I wasn’t warming up horses or troubleshooting struggles. My only responsibility was being present—truly present—and getting to say, “I saw it! He looked great!” as the girls rode by, proud of what their horses had just done and asking "did you see that?!"

And the best part? They didn’t need me.
They worked together, helped each other, and navigated every piece with independence and confidence. The teamwork, the calm problem-solving, the joy... they had it all. And I just got to witness it.

I don’t think I’ve ever stood in this role before. But I liked it.

It brought me back to my own childhood, when we’d ride for hours and our parents would just sit and watch, content to simply be there. What a feeling that was. What a gift it is to come full circle.

To pause. To watch.
To really see.

Have you ever had one of those rare moments... where you weren’t in charge, just present and it reminded you how far someone’s come? I’d love to hear about it.

If you haven’t had one of those moments in a while, maybe this is your reminder to find one. Step back. Let them lead. Sit in the grass. Watch. Just be there.

07/21/2025

✨✨✨✨UPDATE: ALL SPOTS ARE BOOKED✨✨✨✨✨! Due to its popularity, the next sessions of this wonderful retreat are scheduled for AUG 15th, 16th, and 17th. The times and itinerary will remain the same.

I'm very excited to share this amazing program with you all, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it! ✨✨✨ I hope you can join or at least help spread the word.

🌾✨ Held by the Herd:
Rediscover Your Strength, One Stride at a Time

🗓️ August 1st–3rd | 💰 $400 for all 3 days
📍 Lakefront Farm LLC | 14912 E Brighton Cliffe Dr, Kent, NY

Hosted BY:
🔹 Fran Carns | Angels At Work
🔹 Paige Hungerford | Marsh Creek Meadows Equestrian

Sometimes healing doesn’t come from words — it comes from movement, presence, and quiet connection.

Join us for a transformative weekend where horses become mirrors for your inner journey. Whether you're seeking grounding, emotional clarity, or divine realignment, this retreat offers sacred space to reset your energy and embody strength with grace.

🦋 What to Expect:
🌿 Opening Circle with the Sacred Hoop & Intention Setting
🐎 Guided barn walk + intro to horse wisdom and reflection
💆 Sensory-based grounding through grooming & haltering
💖 Embodied lessons in boundaries, trust, and overcoming life’s obstacles
🍽️ Nourishing meals (Burrito Bar + Wegmans subs) & mindful reflections
🌅 Morning mindfulness, journaling, and chore time with the herd
🧘‍♀️ Closing with peace, observation, and soul-level clarity

✨ Facilitated by intuitive healers:
🔹 Fran Carns | Angels At Work
🔹 Paige Hungerford | Marsh Creek Meadows Equestrian

To reserve your spot or ask questions, please keep in mind that space is limited. Please call Angels At Work at 585-349-9983 or email [email protected] with any questions or to submit a reservation request.

Itinerary for all three days.

🌅 Friday: Arrival & Grounding

4:00–4:15 PM — Welcome & Check-In
• Meet the team, settle in
• Journal prompt

4:15–4:45 PM — Opening Circle & Intention Setting
• Group introductions
• Sacred Hoop
• Overview of weekend goals & horse safety

4:45–5:30 PM — Session 1: Meet the Herd
• Guided barn walk
• Horse behavior, boundaries & communication
• Groundwork demonstration: horses reflect human energy

5:30–6:30 PM — Dinner (Provided)
• Build-your-own Burrito Bar with vegetarian options
• Q & A Session

6:30–8:15 PM — Session 2: Grounding with Horses
• Haltering & leading basics
• Sensory awareness through grooming

8:15–8:30 PM — Closing Reflection
• Journal time & debrief

🌺Saturday: Deepening Awareness

7:30–7:45 AM — Light Breakfast & Morning Mindfulness

7:45–9:00 AM — Chore Time: Caring for the Herd, Caring for Ourselves
•Practice presence, responsibility, and self-tending

9:00–9:15 AM — Break

9:15–11:30 AM — Session 3: Boundaries & Balance
• Communicate without words in the arena
• Explore spatial awareness and energetic boundaries

11:30–12:30 PM — Lunch (Provided)
• Wegmans Sub Platter
• Q & A Session

12:30–2:30 PM — Session 4: Overcoming Hurdles
• Trust-building obstacle course with a horse

2:30–3:00 PM — Reflection & Departure
• Guided mindfulness session
• Quiet horse observation

🌞 Sunday: Reclaiming Strength

7:30–7:45 AM — Light Breakfast & Reflective Prompt
•“What’s shifting inside me?”

7:45–9:00 AM — Chore Time
• Embodied dependability & presence

9:00–9:15 AM — Break

9:15–11:30 AM — Session 5: Centered and Seen
• Authentic connection with a horse in the round pen

11:30–12:30 PM — Lunch (Provided)
• Salad Bar
• Q & A Session

12:30–2:00 PM — Session 6: Taking the Reins
• Supported horseback riding experience
• Reclaiming confidence, balance, and trust

2:00–3:00 PM — Closing Reflections: Where I Go From Here
• Sacred Hoop
• Symbolic takeaway (affirmation card, stone, or journal entry)
• Farewell with the horses

07/19/2025

📣 Now Hiring: Morning Barn Help at Lakefront Farm 🐴

Lakefront Farm is currently looking for a reliable and motivated individual to join our barn team for weekday morning chores (Monday–Friday).

🕗 Hours: Morning shifts typically take 2–3 hours
📍 Location: Lakefront Farm (address available upon inquiry)
📅 Start Date: As soon as possible – hoping to have you confidently flying solo by mid-August

Responsibilities include:

Cleaning sheds and stone dust areas (daily)
Feeding grain and resetting feed
Giving hay and refilling/topping off haynets
Blowing or sweeping barn aisleways

We’re looking for someone who:
Is dependable and punctual
Can handle the physical nature of barn work
Is detail-oriented and efficient
Works well independently

Experience around horses is a plus, but not required – we’re happy to train the right person with a good work ethic and willingness to learn.

💲 Competitive pay with scheduled raises.

If you or someone you know is interested, please send a message or email to [email protected]. We’d love to connect!

07/17/2025

Behind the Stall Walls... Loss.

This one’s a tough one.

The other day, one of our students experienced something no young rider should have to go through... the unexpected loss of her pony after a turnout injury. It happened so quickly, and for everyone who was there, it was heartbreaking. The more we thought about it, the heavier it felt. The “what ifs” and “whys” crept in, as they often do in the times of loss.

Loss doesn’t follow rules. It has no timeline, no boundaries, no mercy. It doesn’t wait until we’re ready or until things make sense. Sometimes it gives us time to prepare. Other times, it hits without warning, changing everything in an instant—on what was just an ordinary Wednesday morning.

We often look for something to blame, hoping maybe that will make it feel a little less senseless. But the truth is... loss is still loss. No explanation or reasoning can undo it. No one to blame can soften it.

As adults, as parents, as instructors, our instinct is to want to take that pain away. We wish we could carry the hurt for our kids. But the hard truth is: we can’t. And maybe... we shouldn’t.

I once heard that it’s not our job to clear the path of every hardship or heartache for our kids. In fact, doing so can be a disservice. What our kids need is a safe place to feel the hurt. A space to learn how to sit with grief, to process it, and to slowly move through it—with support, not solutions.

We are so lucky to see so much joy in this life we've chosen... but we also witness these moments of loss. And in those moments, we’re reminded that part of loving deeply is sometimes hurting deeply too.

But we also know this: healing doesn’t happen alone. And in barns like ours, no one ever has to walk through it alone.

07/17/2025

We are excited to be partnering with Fran to offer the horsemanship side of this program! Please consider reaching out to us if you are interested!

✨✨✨✨UPDATE: ALL SPOTS ARE BOOKED✨✨✨✨✨! Due to its popularity, the next sessions of this wonderful retreat are scheduled for AUG 15th, 16th, and 17th. The times and itinerary will remain the same.

I'm very excited to share this amazing program with you all, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it! ✨✨✨ I hope you can join or at least help spread the word.

🌾✨ Held by the Herd:
Rediscover Your Strength, One Stride at a Time

🗓️ August 1st–3rd | 💰 $400 for all 3 days
📍 Lakefront Farm LLC | 14912 E Brighton Cliffe Dr, Kent, NY

Hosted BY:
🔹 Fran Carns | Angels At Work
🔹 Paige Hungerford | Marsh Creek Meadows Equestrian

Sometimes healing doesn’t come from words — it comes from movement, presence, and quiet connection.

Join us for a transformative weekend where horses become mirrors for your inner journey. Whether you're seeking grounding, emotional clarity, or divine realignment, this retreat offers sacred space to reset your energy and embody strength with grace.

🦋 What to Expect:
🌿 Opening Circle with the Sacred Hoop & Intention Setting
🐎 Guided barn walk + intro to horse wisdom and reflection
💆 Sensory-based grounding through grooming & haltering
💖 Embodied lessons in boundaries, trust, and overcoming life’s obstacles
🍽️ Nourishing meals (Burrito Bar + Wegmans subs) & mindful reflections
🌅 Morning mindfulness, journaling, and chore time with the herd
🧘‍♀️ Closing with peace, observation, and soul-level clarity

✨ Facilitated by intuitive healers:
🔹 Fran Carns | Angels At Work
🔹 Paige Hungerford | Marsh Creek Meadows Equestrian

To reserve your spot or ask questions, please keep in mind that space is limited. Please call Angels At Work at 585-349-9983 or email [email protected] with any questions or to submit a reservation request.

Itinerary for all three days.

🌅 Friday: Arrival & Grounding

4:00–4:15 PM — Welcome & Check-In
• Meet the team, settle in
• Journal prompt

4:15–4:45 PM — Opening Circle & Intention Setting
• Group introductions
• Sacred Hoop
• Overview of weekend goals & horse safety

4:45–5:30 PM — Session 1: Meet the Herd
• Guided barn walk
• Horse behavior, boundaries & communication
• Groundwork demonstration: horses reflect human energy

5:30–6:30 PM — Dinner (Provided)
• Build-your-own Burrito Bar with vegetarian options
• Q & A Session

6:30–8:15 PM — Session 2: Grounding with Horses
• Haltering & leading basics
• Sensory awareness through grooming

8:15–8:30 PM — Closing Reflection
• Journal time & debrief

🌺Saturday: Deepening Awareness

7:30–7:45 AM — Light Breakfast & Morning Mindfulness

7:45–9:00 AM — Chore Time: Caring for the Herd, Caring for Ourselves
•Practice presence, responsibility, and self-tending

9:00–9:15 AM — Break

9:15–11:30 AM — Session 3: Boundaries & Balance
• Communicate without words in the arena
• Explore spatial awareness and energetic boundaries

11:30–12:30 PM — Lunch (Provided)
• Wegmans Sub Platter
• Q & A Session

12:30–2:30 PM — Session 4: Overcoming Hurdles
• Trust-building obstacle course with a horse

2:30–3:00 PM — Reflection & Departure
• Guided mindfulness session
• Quiet horse observation

🌞 Sunday: Reclaiming Strength

7:30–7:45 AM — Light Breakfast & Reflective Prompt
•“What’s shifting inside me?”

7:45–9:00 AM — Chore Time
• Embodied dependability & presence

9:00–9:15 AM — Break

9:15–11:30 AM — Session 5: Centered and Seen
• Authentic connection with a horse in the round pen

11:30–12:30 PM — Lunch (Provided)
• Salad Bar
• Q & A Session

12:30–2:00 PM — Session 6: Taking the Reins
• Supported horseback riding experience
• Reclaiming confidence, balance, and trust

2:00–3:00 PM — Closing Reflections: Where I Go From Here
• Sacred Hoop
• Symbolic takeaway (affirmation card, stone, or journal entry)
• Farewell with the horses

07/16/2025

Behind the Stall Walls... Teamwork.

We hear about teamwork constantly—on the field as kids, in the workplace as adults. But what does it really look like?

If you’re anything like me, you speak horse a little better than human. So here it is, in barn terms:

1. Uplifting each other’s strengths.
Sometimes when we ride, our horse says, “I’ve got this,” and we let them shine. Other times, they need us to take the lead. The best partnerships are the ones where both voices are heard and respected.

2. Cheering for the little wins.
When your horse spooks or stumbles, and you respond with a chuckle and a pat instead of frustration—that’s teamwork. It's about meeting our partner with compassion and continuing on together toward the goal.

3. Having fun.
If it’s not fun—what are we doing?

With county fair just around the corner, I find myself reflecting on the incredible young people who pour their hearts into this week. From showing multiple animals to volunteering, mentoring, and even running for fair royalty, you’ll find some of the most dedicated and driven kids on the fairgrounds.

Yes, it’s a week full of sweat, hard work, and emotion but it also holds the power to create lifelong memories and shape character.

As mentors, parents, leaders, and supporters, we have the unique opportunity to model what true teamwork looks like. I'm so looking forward to uplifting one another, celebrating progress big and small, and remembering the heart behind it all. When we show up as gracious teammates, the kids notice and they carry that with them.

Teamwork isn't just a buzzword—it's the quiet, everyday choice to support one another, in and out of the saddle.

07/15/2025

Behind the Stall Walls… Worry.

It’s a word I hear all the time... from students, friends, even myself.
“I’m worried she might spook.”
“I’m worried he’ll buck after the jump.”
“I’m worried about what’s coming next… about finding a job… about failing as a mother.”

It’s taken me time (and I’m still learning) to understand that worry doesn’t change the outcome. It only changes the journey.

Earlier this week, a student’s horse made a not so great choice by attempting to jump the chest bar in the trailer and got himself stuck, hanging by his hips. It was terrifying. My heart was racing. His handler stayed impressively calm, soothing him and seeking help. Even if she was panicking inside, she showed up with steady hands and a clear mind. Together, we worked through it and thankfully, he walked away with what seems like minimal injury.

But here’s where worry tries to step in.

We could let that moment define us. We could worry every time he steps onto the trailer. We could avoid hauling altogether… but what might we miss? A new trail. A perfect clinic. A blue ribbon ride.

Looking at it in our day to day lives...

We could worry about how a job change might affect our family and stay in a position that drains us... or we could take the leap, let go of fear, and find something that lights us up.

Worry doesn’t protect us.
It doesn’t prepare us.
It just robs us of joy, of confidence, of possibility.

What would happen if we broke the chains of worry and stepped forward in strength?
What if we chose courage instead of control?

This week, I challenge you to notice the worries weighing you down and ask yourself what might be waiting on the other side, if you dared to let them go.

07/15/2025

Adventures with Lina ❤️ Follow along on our journey of bringing Lina along. It should be fun and I'm sure we are going to learn a lot!

07/14/2025

Marsh Creek Meadows Equestrian in Kent NY 14477 is excited to offer a few more spots for our day camp!

This week's equine professional is our awesome farrier, Jeremiah Beachy! Which is so appropriate for National Farriers Week!

Come out and learn more about horses and get some more time in the saddle!

07/11/2025

Anxiety...

It is everywhere. And everyone experiences it at least at some point. To me, the boiled down definition of anxiety is; fear of the unknown. After working with people all over the country it is very clear that it is an epidemic in the horse world (and probably life.) I think it is time that we start seriously talking about it. Start acknowledging it and working towards the solution to it.

I'm finding that riding anxiety usually can be traced to two main causes. Either a wreck of some type. Or, the more common cause, a rider is just now over forty and the human brain just processes potential danger differently than it did at twenty. So no, there is nothing wrong with you.

To be fair, if a rider is experiencing it, a horse sure will as well. The horse can feel it in everything the rider does. How they hold the reins and use their legs. How they are quick to jerk back and ride reactivly instead of being a leader the horse appreciates.

When someone suffers from it they worry about all that could go wrong instead of thinking about what could go right. Usually this line of thinking causes the most frequent group of questions that usually begin with, what do you do if?

There is something that every horse I've ever been around searches for, and that is peace. It is the thing that drives them in all they do. All the negative behaviors a horse will exhibit can be traced back to them attempting to find peace. Let's remember that a horse wants to trust us as well. If they feel they can trust us to bring them that peace, a true harmony is found. So we have to teach the horse that we can be trusted to lead them to peace.

This whole problem and it's solution are the basis of our Confidence Through Horsemanship Clinic as well as something that I am videoing as well to hopefully help the largest demographic of people that are attempting to enjoy horses and all the upside that they provide us. So if you get a chance to get into one of our clinics, we'd really love to work with you if we haven't yet.

Pc Rachel Ann Photography

07/11/2025

A couple weeks ago, MCM riders headed to one of the Opportunity Series Shows and they did not disappoint!

Every rider showed up with determination and heart. For some, it was their first-ever show experience. For others, it was a chance to reunite with their trusted horse. No matter where they started, each rider walked away proud of their progress (and I was proud of them!)

We've finally been able to put a description to our main goal and now measure success by one simple question: Did we leave better than we came? And without a doubt, every one of them did, both horses and riders. 💪

07/09/2025

I wish you could’ve seen what we saw, but maybe that’s the point. Some moments aren’t meant to be captured or recreated. Maybe they’re gentle reminders from something bigger than us… nudging us to slow down, look up, and truly appreciate the beauty that’s right in front of us.